A popular music venue has closed after 16 years, with bosses saying rising costs, an “unfounded” noise complaint and big developments have made it impossible to carry on.

Bramleys Cocktail Bar in Canterbury announced it can no longer compete with huge chains coming into the city at the council-owned Riverside development.

Owner Jack Mayhew also said the impact of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis have been difficult to recover from, with a four-year legal battle over a noise complaint dealing the business “a fatal blow”.

He told KentOnline it was a “hard decision”, adding: “We had such a loyal following, but we could never make enough money at the end of the week, and it felt like every week there was a new price rise or new expense.

“It became too emotionally draining.”

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Mr Mayhew explained: “Bramleys and 1.56 million businesses in the UK were forced to take 'bounce back' loans during Covid.

“’Forced’ because we still had to pay rent, bills, insurance, etc. The reality was there was no ‘bounce back’.

“The hospitality industry has seen takings way below pre-pandemic levels. The cost of living crisis has forced people indoors (again).

“One in five people say they go out less to make ends meet, naturally.

“Along with everyone else, our energy bills sky-rocketed. The bounce back loan and cost of energy added £3,000 a month to our overheads. It was not sustainable."

He also highlighted how 5,000 venues in the UK closed permanently last year, with 90% of them independent.

He continued: “Bramleys suffered a further blow with a four-year protracted dispute with the council over a single noise complaint.

“We spent thousands on sound proofing and new equipment, and were forced to limit live music for four years.

“In 2022, weeks before reaching the courtroom, the council admitted the complaint was unfounded, and that they had no evidence.

“Embarrassing for the council, a fatal blow for Bramleys."

Mr Mayhew also accuses the council of being "more interested in investing in vanity projects" like The Riverside complex.

The £115 development features a Curzon cinema and eateries including Korean Cowgirl, Heavenly Desserts, Sekoyya, Fireaway Pizza and Black Sheep Coffee.

Boom Battle Bar - a drinking spot offering revellers 10-pin bowling, shuffleboard, table tennis and axe-throwing - is also lined up to open at the Kingsmead Road site.

Mr Mayhew added: "There has been a swathe of licensed chains eagerly promoted and added by the council and this scheme.

“Instead of creating a city which harmoniously works together, Canterbury is becoming more fractured where big business is the winner, and the losers are you and us.

“The scales became more unbalanced and we were no longer able to compete financially and be heard.

“It is too late for Bramleys, but not too late for our other independents.”

Canterbury City Council refuted claims the development is affecting city centre businesses.

A spokesman said: “We’re really sorry to hear that Bramleys is closing and can understand its owners’ desire to hit out on social media. It must be very upsetting.

“The pandemic and its fallout, the cost-of-living crisis and high energy costs are all out of the council’s control.

“Indeed our own finances are heavily impacted by all of these factors and we’re working hard to make sure they do not harm vital frontline services.

“The popular Riverside scheme is only now getting up and running so it is highly unlikely to have affected businesses in the city centre but we believe it will be a huge benefit.

“The Riverside, which has its own fair share of independents, will complement what is on offer in the city centre while creating scores of jobs, providing 189 units of affordable housing and regenerating a long-neglected part of Canterbury.

“The issue of noise is a complex one which we have worked hard to resolve.”